Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr. Acheampong insisted that as the sector minister at the time, he was the one who championed the policy through all official processes.

“The policy to cancel syndicated loans is not a CEO policy; it is a ministerial policy. Before any matter goes to Cabinet, it is first referred to the Economic Sub-Committee. As the sector minister, I had to defend the proposal there, and again when it went to the main Cabinet. I also stood in Parliament to defend it when issues were raised,” he explained.

He continued, “Yes, you may have contributed, but the credit is shared with everybody who worked on this policy. Even in the past, I have given credit to everyone involved and praised the President at the time for supporting it. But the bold leader who took this idea through all the processes to the end was the sector minister.”

Mr. Acheampong dismissed Mr. Aidoo’s claims as politically motivated, suggesting that the former CEO was attempting to score points ahead of the 2028 elections.

“I am really surprised that he would attempt to rebut what I have said. I am aware of his political stance. You may support a candidate, but you dare not come on air and claim credit for something you did not champion” he said.

He also clarified the timeline, noting that while Boahen Aidoo served as COCOBOD CEO from 2017 to 2023, syndicated loans were still in use during that period.

“I was the Minister in 2023 and 2024, and that is when this idea of self-financing began to take shape. The concept had been discussed at COCOBOD for a long time, but the CEO did not originate it. The final decision to stop syndication was driven by the Ministry.”

Mr. Acheampong stressed that policy-making is a collective process.

“In the Boardroom, junior staff may disagree on certain aspects, but the policy is polished and finalized only when it is submitted to Cabinet. As the sector minister, I am the only one who can present such matters to the Economic Management Team. Discussions are thorough, and consensus is reached before it goes forward.”

His comments come after Mr. Boahen Aidoo accused Mr. Acheampong of “blatant intellectual plagiarism and dishonesty” over the policy, which Mr. Acheampong firmly rejected.

“The policy was never the CEO’s alone. It is the responsibility of the sector minister to drive such initiatives from conception to Cabinet approval.”

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Boafo described the allegations as baseless and misleading.

Dr. Abbey had earlier alleged on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen that COCOBOD failed to submit financial statements to the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) for six consecutive quarters.

He also claimed Parliament and the transitional team were unaware of major financial commitments and contract arrangements.

But Mr. Boafo insists Dr. Abbey’s claims stem from a failure to consult the appropriate documents.

“Maybe one thing that would help the COCOBOD CEO is that he should spend less time carrying chairs to the farm and read his handing-over notes,” he said.

He argued that all necessary details, including information on rollover contracts, were included in the documents officially passed on to Dr. Abbey.

“If he has read the CMC handing-over notes, he wouldn’t have made those claims that Parliament wasn’t aware of most COCOBOD contracts. If he doesn’t know where he has kept it, he should ask Wahab; he will make it available. All the details and the reports on the rollover contracts are in there, so what is the basis of his claims?” he questioned.

Mr. Boafo added that this matter should not have become public had the CEO done due diligence.

“If he reads the handing-over notes, he will spare us this conversation,” he stated.

Listen to Fifi Boafo in the audio above:

Source: Gertrude Otchere 

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Dr. Abbey attributed the current farmgate price of GH¢3,228 per bag to the strong performance of the Ghana cedi, which has influenced local pricing positively.

He dismissed concerns that farmers have been shortchanged, stating that the pricing is aligned with government commitments and prevailing market conditions.

“The NDC government promised 70% of the Free on Board (FOB) price for cocoa farmers. The farmer’s share has increased from $3,100 to $5,040. Although global cocoa prices have dropped below $8,000, the strong cedi has influenced the local price,” he explained.

Dr. Abbey emphasized that the exchange rate plays a critical role in determining farmgate prices and reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to protecting the interests of cocoa farmers.

“We haven’t shortchanged farmers. The cocoa farmers are getting GH¢3,228 because of the good performance of the cedi,” he stressed.

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline

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The visit forms part of his two-day working tour in the region, aimed at deepening stakeholder engagement within the cocoa industry.

Dr. Abbey, accompanied by some members of his management team, was welcomed by an enthusiastic gathering of over 600 cocoa farmers, traditional leaders, and community members.

The visit offered an opportunity for the Chief Executive to hear first-hand the concerns of farmers and discuss collaborative approaches to tackling challenges in the cocoa sector.

Addressing the farmers, Dr. Abbey acknowledged their vital contribution to Ghana’s economy and emphasised COCOBOD’s commitment to supporting their efforts through innovation, policy reforms, and improved agronomical practices.

“Spending this Workers’ Day with you is not only symbolic but also necessary. Your hard work sustains Ghana’s global reputation in cocoa production. We are here to listen, to understand your concerns, and to work with you on finding lasting solutions that confront you—our cherished cocoa farmers,” he stated.

During the interaction, the farmers raised issues including the unavailability and wrong timing of input distribution, lack of access to financing, low producer prices, and the need for better infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities.

In response, Dr. Abbey assured them that COCOBOD is rolling out targeted initiatives to address these issues, including the introduction of climate-resilient farming support.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise the sector, enhance transparency in the cocoa supply chain, and improve farmer incomes through productivity enhancement programmes.

“We are working on reforms that go beyond subsidies and focus on sustainability by empowering farmers with knowledge, tools, and market access to thrive in a changing global economy,” he added.

The farmers expressed their appreciation for Dr. Abbey’s presence and the openness of the dialogue, describing it as a sign of leadership that values farmers’ concerns.

Dr. Abbey’s two-day working visit will continue in other parts of the Ashanti Region, where he is expected to meet with more farmer groups, inspect farms, and further outline his vision for Ghana’s cocoa sector.

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Speaking to a farmers’ group in Accra after assuming office, he said he is aware of the challenges the sector faces and will engage the farmers, who are key players, to address those issues.

“I am aware of the problems the sector is going through and have also read about them, which include cocoa pricing, galamsey, poor welfare of farmers, climate change, decline in cocoa production, and smuggling, but I am going to work with all of you to deal with these challenges and bring a boost to the sector,” Dr. Abbey said.

He also told the farmers that they would be the center of cocoa production in the country.

Dr. Abbey assured them of massive consultation to receive their input on any policy introduced in the sector to help improve the cocoa industry.

“My doors are always open for your suggestions and ideas to help improve the sector. The Ghanaian farmers are the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa, and Ghanaian farmers will be at the center of Ghana’s cocoa,” he added.

Nana Alhassan Bukari, who spoke on behalf of the Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers Association, said the decline in cocoa production is a result of poor welfare for farmers, galamsey, and climate change.

He added that the farmers have confidence in the CEO to turn things around.

“After listening to your speech, one may think we were in bed last night before the meeting because all the things you said have been our headache, and we hope and pray you deliver on your mandate,” Mr. Bukari stated.

The farmers added that their meeting with Dr. Abbey is the first of its kind and promised him their full support.

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The appointment of Randy Abbey has he is popularly known was confirmed in a statement by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama.

The statement dated January 21, 2025, noted that the appointment is pending receipt of the constitutionally required advice from the Board of COCOBOD.

The appointment took effect on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

President Mahama congratulated Dr. Abbey on his new role and wished him success, expressing confidence in his ability to steer the institution effectively.

Dr. Abbey’s appointment is anticipated to bring renewed energy and strategic direction to COCOBOD, a vital organization in Ghana’s cocoa industry.

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Read the full statement below:

As a critical part of the nation’s economy, the cocoa industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, and farmers are adamant that the next CEO must possess a deep understanding of the sector.

Farmers argue that appointing someone with direct ties to the cocoa-growing regions is essential to effectively address the pressing issues facing the industry.

They believe that a leader well-versed in cocoa business and who understands the realities of farming communities will be key to revitalizing the sector.

“The challenges facing the cocoa sector, such as low producer prices, limited access to fertilizers, poor road infrastructure, and other essential inputs, require a leader who is not only knowledgeable but also empathetic towards the needs of the farmers,” said Chief Farmer Fredrick Gbodzi Subriso.

Nana Akwasi Awuah, the Krotihene of Nsawakrom, also voiced his concerns, warning that appointing someone disconnected from the cocoa industry could stifle progress.

He emphasized that the CEO should be an advocate for cocoa farmers’ interests and be deeply involved in the industry.

Martha Addai, the National Best Woman Cocoa Farmer of 2016, also supported the call, stressing that the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry depends on leadership that both understands the challenges and is committed to ensuring sustainable growth.

She pointed out that engaging effectively with farmers could inspire the youth to pursue careers in cocoa farming.

One of the names being suggested by farmers is Bennett Akantoa, former Managing Director of Cocoa Marketing Company GH Limited during President Mahama’s first administration.

His extensive experience in the cocoa sector has made him a strong candidate to lead COCOBOD and help address the challenges facing the industry.

“The cocoa sector deserves a leader who can navigate the complexities of the industry and forge stronger ties with farmers. Bennett Akantoa’s past contributions to the sector make him well-suited to lead and drive change,” said the farmers in their appeal.

As the cocoa industry faces uncertain times, farmers continue to advocate for leadership that truly understands the sector and can work to create a brighter future for Ghana’s cocoa farmers.

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Mr Aidoo had earlier asserted that, the decrease in cocoa output is due to natural occurrences, not mismanagement.

However, speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues with Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Mr Aidoo said the NDC was only interested in distributing free fertilisers.

According to him, fertilisers alone do not boost cocoa yields in the absence of best practices such as pruning, and weeding.

He noted that, after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed office, they introduced the hand pollination, which many farmers can attest has improved their output.

He said government has also introduced free pruning for the cocoa farmers and have also intensified education on the appropriate farming practices.

“The free fertilizers, by the NDC didn’t help the farmers. Under President Kufuor, the fertilizers were there but it was subsidized. Now if you give out the fertilizers for free and the farming practice is bad, it won’t yield anything positive. If you give the fertilizers to the farmer, you must also train them on pruning and weeding and other practices so that the fertilizers can do it’s work.

“Ours is to subsidize the cost of fertilizers and also assist the farmers with free pruning, and the hand pollination. That is why you can see that cocoa production over the last eight years has been higher than the previous administration”

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In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Aidoo claimed that, when he took charge of Cocobod, there were no funds left from the $1.8 billion secured by the previous administration in 2016.

He attributed this to expenditures on cocoa purchases and operational costs.

Reacting to these statements on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Mr. Opoku, who is the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa, disputed Mr. Aidoo’s claims.

“They are all lies. The Cocobod CEO is telling lies. Cocobod’s coffers were not empty when the CEO took over in 2017” he said.

Highlighting discrepancies, Mr. Opoku referred to President Akufo Addo’s budget statement, which indicated that the loan taken in 2016/2017 was still in use.

He stressed the importance of transparency to Ghanaians.

“I have notes and evidence to show that everything he said was untrue. If the budget states this, and the President presented it in Parliament, then Mr. Aidoo is clearly lying about not finding any money” he noted.

Mr. Opoku therefore challenged the narrative by Mr. Aidoo, aiming to clarify the financial situation and ensure accountability to Ghanaians.

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In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, June 12, Mr. Boahen Aidoo attributed the shortfall to bad weather conditions, bean disease, illegal mining and smuggling activities being perpetrated by persons he described as nation-wreckers.

According to him, the foreigners, particularly Russians operating from Ghana’s neighbouring countries and with nothing to lose, pay high prices for the smuggled cocoa beans and in turn, sell the beans on the black market for windfall profits.

“There are some Russians in Guinea…. we have some Russians there, and then Togo and they are buying, they want to buy the cocoa spot, they sell spot, they have nothing to lose. They don’t spray, they don’t buy chemicals for farmers, they are not providing any extension services for farmers, nothing. So they can afford to sell spot. When they get the cocoa, they go to the market, they can sell at $10,000.”

He said though there have been some arrests, the practice if not permanently handled will have dire consequences for the sector in the future.

“Some have been imprisoned, and you know the minimum sentence is five years, but people still dare,” he lamented.

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Joseph Boahene Aidoo said the decline in cocoa production was caused by climate change, particularly a reduction in rainfall and an increase in heat intensity compared to previous years.

He stated that, Ghana had to adapt to climate change and that the country’s existing infrastructure could aid adaptation and mitigation concerning cocoa cultivation.

Speaking on the theme “The Impact of Climate Change on the Cocoa Sector; Adaptation and Mitigation Measures; The Role of the Worker,” Mr Aidoo stated the importance of CRIG workers in mitigating the effects of climate change on cocoa production.

Mr Aidoo is confident that Ghana could address these challenges, provided the current industrial harmony between CRIG and the other units within COCOBOD was maintained.

The COCOBOD CEO expressed optimism that the management and workers of CRIG would collaborate to overcome the challenge posed by climate change.

Mr Aidoo stated that COCOBOD, its agencies, and government had helped to provide stable prices and a ready market for cocoa farmers.

He added that Ghana was well-equipped to adapt to climate change, as the country had the necessary infrastructure for adaptation and mitigation for cocoa cultivation.

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In the view of Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer is being led astray by advisors who claim to be abreast with cocoa issues.

He made these comments on Adom FM;s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, citing Ajumako Enyan Essiam Member of Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as one of the people misleading Mr. Mahama.

The COCOBOD CEO said he being a member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) should not be a hindrance for Mr Mahama to consult him if necessary.

“Regardless of my political affiliation, I am Ghanaian, so I’m prepared to advise Mahama on cocoa issues if he avails himself. We were even colleagues in Parliament. If he [Mahama] decides to rely on his people, he will always come out, make mistakes, and disgrace himself as a statesman. That will not be good because the people close to him don’t know anything about cocoa,” he urged.

The COCOBOD CEO bemoaned the politisation of the cocoa sector since it is a national strategic commodity all citizens must endeavour to protect.

Mr Aidoo’s comments come in the wake of the controversy about the increment of the farmgate price of cocoa beans for the 2023/2024 season has generated.

President Akufo-Addo on September 9, while addressing cocoa farmers in Tepa of the Ashanti region announced a 63.6% upward adjustment from GH₵800 to GH₵1,308 per bag.

NDC has said it is a total rip-off, as cocoa farmers will remain worse off than they were seven years ago under them. They said the price increment should not have been less than GH¢2,500. 

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Joseph Boahen Aidoo made the accusation on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, where he expressed disappointment in Dr Forson.

As a former Chairman of the Producer Price Review Committee on Cocoa and former member of the Board of Directors, COCOBOD, Mr Aidoo said he expects the Minority leader to know better when it comes to how the price system works.

“Ato Forson has really shocked me, and he hasn’t helped Mahama in any way. You have to be careful if you have such people as your advisors. He has been on the Board before, so when he came to speak about sales and prices, I had so much faith unfortunately, he decided to come and throw dust in the eyes of people. Propaganda and lies are just in the DNA of the NDC,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo on September 9, while addressing cocoa farmers in Tepa of the Ashanti region announced a 63.6% upward adjustment from GH₵800 to GH₵1,308 per bag.

But in the view of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), it is a total rip-off, as cocoa farmers will remain worse off than they were seven years ago under them.

According to the NDC, the price increment should not have been less than GH¢2,500. 

Dr Forson, who doubles as Ajumako Enyan Assiam Member of Parliament (MP) addressing a conference with cocoa farmers at Dadiesoaba in the Ahafo Region said if the NDC was in power, it would have paid ¢2,800 to the farmers.

However, the COCOBOD CEO in response said it was actually the erstwhile NDC government that cheated cocoa farmers.

“In 2015-2016, the international price of cocoa was $2900 per tonne but they paid farmers $1,789 now, the price is around $2,600 but we have given the farmer $1,821 dollars, so they even cheated the farmers because they had all the opportunity to pay the GH¢2,500 Ato Forson is talking about or even GH¢2,000 but they didn’t,” he added.

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According to Joseph Boahen Aidoo, there was no fund created, nor was there any money set aside.

Speaking at a cocoa farmers conference in the Ahafo region on Wednesday, Asunafo South MP, Eric Opoku, indicated Mr Mahama set aside GHS28.9 million as seed money for the Cocoa Farmers’ Pension Scheme, for which the government claims credit.

”The Mahama administration left Ghc28.9 million as seed money for a cocoa farmer pension scheme before leaving office, but the current administration has misappropriated the money and continues to claim to have introduced the scheme,” he told the farmers.

But the COCOBOD CEO on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme refuted the claims.

“There was no money in the Cocoa Farmers’ Pension Scheme, as the NDC and former President Mahama claim. The amount was only stated in a ledger, but there was no real money.

“How come no farmer was engaged or heard about it? I dare the NDC to come out and tell us which bank they deposited the money to and the name of the fund,” he said.

Mr Aidoo said he finds it difficult to accept the Auditor General’s report on the pension fund, adding if it was anything to go buy, late former President Mills should have been credited for the initiative.

“The Auditor General used a ledger from 2011 so why is the NDC not mentioning Atta-Mills? We didn’t even know there was a ledger until it was discovered when the auditors came. So there was no account,” he added.

Meanwhile, the CEO was optimistic the current administration has already made some gains and will successfully implement the initiative.

“When I came, there was no database of farmers but we instituted the cocoa management system through which 790,000 farmers have been captured.

“Out of this number, 100,000 have been enrolled on the scheme and we hope to get everyone onboard by the end of the year. We also hope to have about GHS74 million cedis in it,” he noted.

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President Akufo-Addo on September 9, while addressing cocoa farmers in Tepa of the Ashanti region announced a 63.6% upward adjustment from GH₵800 to GH₵1,308 per bag.

But in Mr Mahama’s view, it is a total rip-off as cocoa farmers will remain worse off than they were seven (7) years ago under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Reacting to Mr Mahama’s comments on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo said the former President got it wrong.

He maintained that, they have not shortchanged the farmers.

The COCOBOD CEO stated that, the new increment is the most significant in Ghana’s history, adding the farmers are happy with it.

“We have been paying higher cocoa prices than Ivory Coast since 2017. The only time they paid more was last year. The 65% increment in cocoa price wipes out the current rate of inflation so farmers are better off,” he said.

The CEO further called on Mr. Mahama to acquaint himself with the process involved in determining the producer price of cocoa.

Mr Aidoo expressed optimism the new price will help to curb smuggling which has become the biggest bane of cocoa farmers in Ghana.

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Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo was given the stool name Nana Kokoo Nkosuhene and was endowed with the traditional powers.

His enstoolment came when he paid a two-day engagement tour and inspection of cocoa rehabilitated farms in the area. Mr Aidoo’s visit was to assess the quality and level of work done since the beginning of the cocoa rehabilitation programme.

During the gathering, the chiefs, farmers and workers recruited under the programme conferred on him Cocoa Development chief in recognition of the good work that the COCOBOD CEO had done for the community in reviving their diseased cocoa trees.

They noted that they were pleased with his enviable contributions to bringing their cocoa back to life. They continued to urge him to further the programme to avert some challenges facing the programme.

In brief remarks after his enstoolment, Mr Aidoo thanked the chiefs, elders, farmers and workers in the area for the honour bestowed on him. He also assured the farmers of his office’s commitment to fighting diseased cocoa trees and the restoration of the livelihood of farmers in the area.

He urged the farmers to allow their farms affected by the cocoa swollen shoot disease to be rehabilitated because the disease has no treatment.

The summon follows a statement on the Floor by Member of Parliament for Buem, Kofi Adams, who drew the attention of the House to how the indebtedness to farmers in his constituency and other parts of the country is negatively affecting their livelihoods.

In the statement, Mr Adams questioned why COCOBOD had failed to honour its obligations to the farmers after Parliament last year approved an amount of 1.3 billion for 2020/2021 crop seeds.

In the statement, Mr Adams said the situation is worsening the plight of poor farmers in rural areas.

But the Deputy Majority Caucus Leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin, denied the claims by Mr Adams.

A former Minority spokesperson on Agriculture, Eric Opoku insisted that Cocobod owes the farmers.

In a rebuttal, a former Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, said COCOBOD has released over 1.6 billion cedis to the farmers to purchase cocoa and the rest is expected to be released in the coming days.

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After contributions by Members, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, who was in the chair, directed that Mr Aidoo meets the leadership of the House and the Committee.

Mr Aidoo described as sad, the opposition’s refusal to cast its mind back on what happened under its regime compared to the transformation under the incumbent administration.

His comments come on the back of a press release signed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South and Ranking Member for Agriculture, Eric Opoku.

They described as appalling the refusal of the Akufo-Addo government to release seed funds to LBCs for the purchase of cocoa for the 2020-2021 cocoa season.

However, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Aidoo described the statement as needless, adding it is inaccurate to suggest that the delay is deliberate.

“Our crop season starts from September and ends in October and we all know the adverse effect of the covid-19 pandemic which has also affected the syndication done in London and not in Ghana.

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“But we had to do everything virtually in Ghana since we are in an unusual time and the officials who we would have engaged one-on-one are now all working from home so the bargaining of interest rates has not been easy,” he said.

He explained the cocoa seed funds of $1.3bn had to be syndicated from different banks in London which is not a small task to undertake.

Mr Aidoo, however, assured the money, which usually comes between 10^th and 15^th October each cocoa year, is in and ready for disbursement.

To Mr Aidoo, someone, who supervised the total collapse of the cocoa sector, has no moral right to criticise the Akufo-Addo government, who is working hard to revamp the sector.

The former president had described as sheer wickedness some decisions of the government taken in the cocoa sector.

He, among other things, criticised the government for stopping the supply of free fertilisers to cocoa farmers.

However, reacting to the comments on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Aidoo opined it was in the best interest of the farmers.

He argued that but for cutting of cocoa trees nationwide, the country would have no longer boasted of cocoa, stating the erstwhile Mahama administration left farmers to their fate.

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“The swollen shoot diseases had affected the cocoa farms but they were asymptomatic and even though they were aware, they kept on supplying farmers with cocoa seedlings while they directed them to cut their cocoa themselves,” he said.

According to him, the decision of the Mahama-led government was not the best as the methods the farmers used were inappropriate and ineffective.

“He doesn’t understand what goes on into the cutting and replanting and shouldn’t even talk about matters regarding cocoa because he knows nothing,” he added.

The convicts, Christian Obeng, a businessman, and Latif Apulala, a driver, were said to have created a fake Facebook account in the name of the former COCOBOD boss and used it to dupe people under the pretext of securing jobs for them at the COCOBOD.

The Accra Circuit Court last Friday sentenced them after they were found guilty, reports Graphic Online’s court reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

They had pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit crime while Obeng pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of impersonation, but the court held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt to ascertain their guilt.

Obeng, the mastermind behind the scheme, was slapped with a five-year jail term, while Apulala, the one tasked to be collecting money from the victims, was jailed for two years.

Both of them were also ordered by the court, which was presided over by Mrs Ruby Naa Adjeley Quaison to sign a bond to be of good behaviour or in default serve another year in prison.

Facebook account

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Stephen Kwame Adjei, told the court that on February 26, 2016, someone reported to the police that he had seen a Facebook account with the username “Stephen K. Opuni” with a picture of Dr Opuni.

But when Dr Opuni was contacted, he denied having any such account or ever signing up for Facebook.

According to the prosecutor, Obeng, through a conversation on Facebook, promised to secure a job for the informant at COCOBOD if he paid GH¢4,000. The police then told the informant to feign interest in the deal.

“Obeng told him to meet his messenger at Achimota with his application letter and an initial payment of GH¢3,500 to facilitate the process. The informant went to the meeting place and found Apulala, who was immediately arrested,” he said.

Mr Adjei stated that Apulala was made to call Obeng to inform him that he had gone for the money. Obeng subsequently told Apulala he would meet him at home for the money.

“Obeng showed up four hours later and he was arrested,” he added.